This article contains no specific figures, and for a reason. Two of the three components are not our fee at all - they are set by law and by the state. The third depends so much on the language, volume and field that a "price per page" as a figure misleads clients more often than it helps them.
Instead, this article explains how each component is formed - which lets you estimate the budget yourself before you place an order.
Three components, three different payees
1. The cost of the translation
- This is our fee
- Depends on the language, volume and field
- Price by agreement, after we see the material
- Fixed when the order starts
- Does not change afterwards
2. The notary fee
- Set by law
- The same at every notary
- Depends on the type of notarial act
- We cannot influence it
- Added only if you need the notarized form
3. The apostille fee
- A charge set by the state
- Depends on how fast you need it
- Charged separately for each document
- Needed only for submission abroad
- Also not our fee
This is where the most common unpleasant surprise appears: a person learns the translation price, works out a budget and only then discovers that the notary and the apostille are separate amounts - especially with a five-document package, where the apostille is charged for each one separately. That is why we give you all three components in advance, in one reply.
What a "translation page" is
In translation bureaus the standard unit for counting the price is the translation page. Many people think it is a physical A4 page - in fact it is a notional unit, usually 1,800 characters including spaces.
The difference matters in practice. The text on a standard birth certificate is well under one translation page, even though it physically fills a whole sheet. Conversely, a diploma supplement spread over two physical pages may amount to several translation pages - it contains dense tables in small print.
That is why we do not publish a "price per page" as a figure. In one case that figure would pleasantly surprise a client, in another unpleasantly. It is far more honest to quote a specific amount after seeing a photo.
What affects the price of a translation
Language. English, Russian and Turkish are the largest directions and therefore the most affordable. Rare languages - where Georgia has only a few specialists - naturally cost more. Translating between two foreign languages without Georgian also costs more. Field. A standard certificate is the cheapest. Medical, legal, technical and financial texts cost more, because a specialist translator does them and the editing stage is mandatory. That is extra work, and it is reflected in the price. Real volume. Not the number of pages, but the amount of text. That is why we ask for a photo: without one, an exact price is impossible. Repetition. For regular clients, where a terminology base and standard forms already exist, the price goes down. This applies especially to companies whose contracts resemble one another.Two different notarial acts
At the notary two completely different acts are often confused, and their fees differ too.
Certifying the translator's signature. The notary confirms that a specific, qualified translator signed the translation. This is what is usually called a "notarized translation", and in most cases it is what you need. Certifying that a copy matches the original. The notary confirms that this copy exactly matches the original. It is a different procedure serving a different purpose - needed when the original must stay with you and the recipient gets a certified copy. Details: certified copy of a document.Sometimes both are needed at once: the translation is bound not to the original but to its notarized copy. This happens when there is one original and you need it at several offices. In that case both fees apply.
Hidden costs - where unexpected amounts appear
Urgent service. When a document is needed "yesterday", the urgent rate applies. With us it is switched on only at your direct request and appears on the invoice in advance - it is never added automatically. Courier. If the certified paper has to be brought to your address, that is a separate service. In Tbilisi it is usually minimal; to the regions and abroad it is at the courier company's rate. Repeat certification. If you need the same document at three offices, you will need three certified copies - and each carries the notary fee. So always tell us in advance how many copies you need: doing them at once is cheaper than coming back a week later. Obtaining the document again. The biggest cost, and the most avoidable. If a certificate has expired or the apostille went on at the wrong stage, the cycle starts again. That is why we ask you to tell us who the document is for before ordering.Four places where you can genuinely save
1. Do not order notarization "just in case". This is the most common unnecessary expense. Many foreign universities, employers and crewing companies are satisfied with the bureau's stamp. One question to the recipient - and the notary fee does not appear at all. 2. Do not translate twice. The classic case: first into English for the university, then into German for the visa. If both stages lie ahead and the university accepts German, one German version covers both. 3. Order the package together, not piece by piece. When all five documents arrive at once, one translator does them, repeated parts are handled once and inconsistencies show up immediately. Ordering separately, weeks apart, is almost always more expensive and riskier. 4. Start early. The urgent rate is the easiest cost to avoid - it is almost always caused by a late start, not real urgency. If your appointment is two weeks away, two weeks is enough.And one thing not worth saving on: a specialist translator for medical, legal and technical documents. One returned document costs more than the whole translation.
How to estimate your budget in advance
Count the documents
Not the pages. The apostille and the notary are charged per document, so this is the figure that matters most for the budget.
Find out which form each one needs
Not every document needs a notary, let alone an apostille. A CV, a motivation letter and many commercial documents are fine with the bureau's stamp.
Send everything together
In one reply you get all three components for every document. This is far more accurate than asking separately, and often cheaper too.
Say how many copies you need
If you know you will submit to two offices, say so when ordering. Preparing two copies at once is cheaper than coming back for another later.
Want to know the exact amount? Send us photos of your documents and tell us who they are for - you will get all three components in one reply, before you order.
Call: 501 113 200Frequently asked questions about prices
Why do you not publish specific prices on the site?
For two reasons. First, two of the three components - the notary fee and the apostille fee - are not our fee at all, and publishing them would mislead clients. Second, the translation price depends so much on the language, real volume and field that one figure would be far too low in one case and far too high in another. You get an exact amount once we see a photo.
Can the price go up after I order?
No. The agreed price is fixed when the order starts. If, after seeing the document, it turns out the real volume is larger than the photo showed - say there is more text on the back - we tell you before work starts, not on delivery. You decide whether to go ahead.
Is the notary fee the same everywhere?
Yes, the fee for notarial acts is set by Georgian law and is the same at every notary. The only difference is the type of act: certifying the translator's signature and certifying that a copy matches the original are different fees.
How much more does the urgent service cost?
The urgent rate is higher than the standard one, because the order jumps the queue and more people work on it at the same time. Importantly, it is switched on only at your direct request and appears on the invoice in advance. We never apply it automatically just because you are "in a hurry".
How do I know whether I need a notary?
It depends on the recipient. Georgian state offices almost always ask for notarization. A large share of foreign universities, employers and crewing companies are satisfied with the bureau's stamp. Send us the text of the recipient's requirement and we will tell you for free - it often saves the notary fee.
I have a large project. Is there a discount?
For large-volume and repeat orders the terms are agreed individually. For companies this usually means an agreed rate under a contract, a terminology base that speeds up repeated text, and one monthly invoice. Details: corporate translation.